Robert Gunningham Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Wiki, Arts

Robert Gunningham, a speculated street artist often mentioned in discussions surrounding the secretive and influential street artist Banksy, has remained largely out of the public eye.

Speculation about Gunningham being Banksy stems from investigative journalism, geographic profiling, and statements from those in the art community.

Despite the mystery, Gunningham’s potential connection to Banksy has drawn significant attention, linking him to an artist whose politically charged graffiti has been widely recognized since the early 2000s.

Profile

• Full name: Robert Gunningham
• Date of birth: July 28, 1974
• Age: 50 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Yate, Gloucestershire, England
• Nationality: British
• Profession: Street Artist (speculated)
• Height: N/A
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Joy Millward
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Net worth: $50 million

Early Life and Education

Robert Gunningham, now 50 years old, was born on July 28, 1974, in Yate, a small town in Gloucestershire, England.

He is believed to have grown up in this town just outside of Bristol, a city that would later play a crucial role in his association with the underground art scene.

While not much is known about his family or siblings, he reportedly attended the prestigious Bristol Cathedral School.

This aligns with information from former classmates and acquaintances who have drawn connections between Gunningham’s movements and Banksy’s rise to fame.

Although details about Gunningham’s further education remain scarce, he may have pursued studies related to the visual arts, as his association with the Bristol art scene in the 1990s hints at a background in creative expression.

Gunningham’s ethnicity is believed to be Caucasian, though his religious affiliations, if any, are not publicly known.

The secrecy surrounding his identity has made it difficult to trace a detailed academic or personal history.

Personal Life

Robert Gunningham’s personal life remains largely shrouded in mystery, mainly if he is Banksy.

However, it is widely reported that he married Joy Millward, a lobbyist, in 2006. Their relationship has been described as private, with the couple living a reclusive lifestyle.

According to sources, even their closest neighbors are unaware of Gunningham’s potential secret identity as Banksy.

Joy Millward has reportedly supported Gunningham throughout the years, but little is known about how they met or what drew them together. They live in an isolated community, limiting contact with the outside world.

There are no confirmed reports of the couple having children; their life together is marked by extreme privacy.

Some sources suggest that only a small inner circle of trusted friends and family members know Gunningham’s possible connection to Banksy.

Despite the intense public curiosity about Banksy’s personal life, Robert Gunningham and Joy Millward have managed to maintain a low profile, mainly avoiding media attention.

Career

If Robert Gunningham is indeed Banksy, his career in contemporary street art is unparalleled.

Banksy emerged from the Bristol underground art scene in the early 1990s, creating freehand graffiti before transitioning to stenciling.

This method allowed him to make more detailed and rapidly executed works. His art often imbues political messages, criticizing war, consumerism, and authority.

Banksy’s art spread to cities like London from Bristol and later became a global phenomenon, with works appearing in cities across Europe, the U.S., and even the Middle East.

Banksy’s Provocative installations and stunts have marked Banksy’s career. One of the most famous incidents occurred in 2018 when his painting Girl with Balloon was sold at auction for $1.3 million, only to self-destruct moments after the sale through a shredder built into the frame.

His works have been sold for millions of dollars, though Banksy himself has remained a critic of the commercialization of art.

In addition to visual art, Banksy has dabbled in film, producing the Oscar-nominated documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop in 2010.

His ventures include large-scale installations, such as “Dismaland,” a dystopian theme park that mocked Disneyland and drew crowds in Somerset in 2015. If Robert Gunningham is indeed Banksy, his career reflects a deep engagement with social and political issues through art.

Awards

• Nominated for Academy Award (Best Documentary Feature) for Exit Through the Gift Shop (2011)
• Webby Award for Artist of the Year (2014)
• Brit Insurance Design of the Year for “Dismaland” (2016)

Net Worth

Robert Gunningham’s net worth is estimated at around $50 million, assuming he is Banksy. This fortune has been amassed through selling his art, books, and film projects. Banksy’s often politically charged and controversial artwork has fetched millions at auctions.

Despite his anti-capitalist messaging, the art market’s demand for Banksy’s works has only increased over time. Major pieces like Love is in the Bin have sold for tens of millions, increasing his overall net worth.

Controversy

The controversy surrounding Robert Gunningham largely stems from his suspected role as Banksy. The primary controversy lies in Banksy’s use of vandalism as a medium for his art.

While many admire Banksy’s skill and message, others see his work as destruction of property. This has led to debates over whether Banksy’s work should be preserved or removed when it appears in public spaces.

One of the most high-profile incidents occurred in 2006 when Banksy defaced a wall in Israel with a mural, igniting a discussion about the ethics of using conflict zones as canvases.

Banksy’s shredding of his artwork at Sotheby’s in 2018 also caused significant controversy, challenging the conventions of the art world.

The act was seen as both a critique of the commercialization of art and a publicity stunt. In 2020, further controversy arose when Banksy’s work Show Me the Monet sold for a record price at auction, leading critics to accuse him of hypocrisy, given his anti-capitalist stance.

Additionally, Banksy has faced accusations of copying other artists’ work, though he has always maintained that his art is original and seeks to challenge societal norms.

Despite these controversies, Banksy’s influence on the art world remains profound, and if Robert Gunningham is indeed Banksy, he has navigated these issues while maintaining an air of secrecy.

Social Media

• Instagram: N/A
• Twitter: N/A

Filmography

• Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)